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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 7th, 2019–Dec 8th, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Triggering wind slab avalanches is possible in the alpine. Gather information as you approach avalanche terrain, there is uncertainty how well the recent storm snow bonds with the underlying layers.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Isolated flurries, then clear, 40 km/h wind from the north, alpine temperatures around -4 C, freezing level at valley bottom.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, 40 km/h wind from the north, alpine high temperatures around -2 C, freezing level around 1000 m.

MONDAY: Mainly sunny, light wind from the northwest, alpine high temperatures around +2 C, freezing level around 1500 m.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, 40 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -2 C, freezing level around 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

Minimal avalanche activity has been reported over the past week. Some parts of the region may have received enough new snow with the recent storm to form slabs at higher elevations. The greatest concern is in wind affected terrain and where the storm snow sits on smooth surfaces (such as glaciers, rock slabs, and areas that already have enough snow to cover rocks and shrubs).

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow totals to about 25 cm for most parts of the region. Snowpack depths remain quite thin throughout the region. Current snowpack depths are around 75 cm at upper treeline elevations, with many rocks and trees sticking out at lower elevations. In the alpine you can find slightly deeper areas where wind has formed hard wind slabs.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.